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McLaughlin pleas out, in exchange for "substantial assistance"

By Lisa Redmond, lredmond@lowellsun.com

Updated:
02/19/2013 12:42:06 PM EST

BOSTON -- Former Chelsea Housing Authority Executive Director Michael McLaughlin pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to four counts of falsifying documents to state and federal regulators in order to hide his inflated salary.

McLaughlin, of Dracut, was released on personal recognizance pending a sentencing hearing on May 14.

McLaughlin was charged in U.S. District Court on Jan. 23. In documents to state and federal regulatory agencies, he claimed he was being paid up to $164,000 a year less than his actual salary, according to the U.S. District attorney's office.

A plea agreement that McLaughlin signed with federal prosecutors was released publicly Friday.

McLaughlin agreed to full cooperation with authorities and will provide "substantial assistance" with other investigations and potential prosecutions in exchange for a decreased sentence.

The maximum sentence for the four counts McLaughlin pleaded guilty to is up to 80 years in prison, and fines up to $1 million.

U.S. District Attorney Carmen Ortiz is recommending the court impose a sentence below the advisory sentencing guideline range, according to the agreement.

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